Chapter 15

"Kuroko. I have to work night shift today and tomorrow. Tell Kagami. Don't have too much fun without me."

"Okay." Kuroko hung up the phone. It became a daily routine that the three would play basketball and then eat dinner together afterwards. It became a habit to simply meet up at the park after everyone was done with school and practice. As if things were reversed, the three only called each other if they weren't going to make it.

...

"Welcome," the waitress' voices harmonized.

Murasakibara walked in and sat down in his table. Recently, it has become a routine thing that whenever Sayumi was working, that table would be especially reserved for her guest.

"What's this?" The purple-haired boy scrutinized the cup in front of him.

"Your chocolate banana parfait with a side of special Nerunerunerune candy bought and serviced to you by Kineno Sayumi." The young waitress said and flashed a broad smile.

"Did it shrink?"

"Maybe you just grew bigger."

"Kine-chin. Don't take me for a fool. The size of the cup shrunk. Don't be so stingy, woman."

"Murasakibara. I am not any more frugal than I was when I met you. So don't start twisting other people's good intentions. You've been coming here every time I fill in. I'm a little worried that you may be overeating."

"Even my mother doesn't regulate my diet. Don't think you can start."

"But your mother isn't giving you free dessert like every other day."

"Don't exaggerate. You only work around three days a week." Murasakibara helped himself to his free order. Sayumi, from experience, knew that he was going to ignore her until after he finished his dessert, so she left to tend to the other tables. Five minutes later, she came back.

"Kine-chin. How much do you weigh?"

"Less than you."

"Did you lose weight?"

"Do I look like I did?"

"Not really."

"Why ask then?" Sayumi poured more water into his glass.

"You look a little different lately."

"Or like I said. You probably just grew bigger and the angle you see me from just shifted a little."

"No. You look different for sure." Murasakibara stood up and pulled Sayumi towards him. The water pitcher in her hand almost fell, but his large hands steadied it when he caught her from losing balance.

"What was that for?" Sayumi glanced around to see if anyone saw. "I'm still on work duty. We can play games later."

"You did grow a little taller. You were here before." The giant pointed to his chest. "What'd you do? Eat sweets like me?"

"Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with genes that promote height growth each time I stuff sugar in my mouth. I actually had to take the long route to drink milk every day and play basketball at night." Sayumi pulled away and straightened her work uniform.

"I play too you know."

Sayumi looked at his colossal stature.

"Don't tell me you didn't know." Murasakibara scanned the girl's sheepish expression. "You really didn't know? I never thought I would meet a girl who was less clueless than Mine-chin."

"Mine-chin?" Sayumi thought that sounded familiar.

"My former basketball teammate."

"You're on a team?" Sayumi looked at the lazy boy man in a new light.

"You ever heard of the Generation of Miracles?"

"No."

"They're a group of exceptional players that appear only once every decade."

Sayumi was already very interested. "And you know them?"

"Do you want to know?"

"Yes!"

"Then get me a large chocolate banana parfait and three packs of candy and tell your manager you're taking your break time early."

"Your health or my interest? I'm pretty selfish Murasakibara. Don't blame me." Sayumi punched in the order, told her manager who agreed after she saw the slow customer traffic, and grabbed three packs of candy and dashed to her favorite table.

...

"You're awesome, Murasakibara! No wonder you're so skinny even though you eat like a pig!"

"What?"

"I wonder how the rest of the Generation of Miracles are like. Koukai-nii would've loved to see you guys play..."

Murasakibara noticed his friend's change of expression.

"Kine-chin. Did your brother play basketball?"

"Like every hour of the day. He even skipped school sometimes to sneak out and play."

"Did you play with him?"

"When he didn't have practice. There were times when I didn't feel like playing with him. But looking back now, I wish I could've played with him for much much longer." Sayumi looked down at the table. "And now, I even lost the last memento I have of him. I'm a terrible sister."

The boy looked at the pretty girl who was blinking back tears. His body moved on its own and handed Sayumi a packet of his precious candy in which she took.

When Murasakibara left, he thought back but couldn't understand what happened back there. His brain would never give up candy for anything, and yet his heart acted separately. He wasn't full that day, but he felt a sweet sense of satisfaction that lasted him all the way until he went home.

{Text from Kineno Sayumi}: I'm working again tomorrow. I just bought a whole case of candy, but I don't think I can finish it by myself.

...

And like the previous night, the tall basketball player sat on his usual seat and was served by his usual waitress.

"What's this?"

"Nerunerunerune candy, sir."

"You said you bought a whole case."

"I saw this little kid that fell on the floor when I was going to work and then he started crying. I couldn't help it so I gave him a pack."

"You gave him one?" Sayumi nodded innocently. "Then why is half the box gone?"

"I like candy too."

"Stingy."